Universal handle for brushes

ABSTRACT

A brush has a handle with multiple releasable brush tips. The handle is elongated and has a larger engagement portion and a smaller engagement portion of smaller cross-sectional dimension than the larger engagement portion. The brush tips have ferrules with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured to them. The hollow end of the larger brush tip frictionally engages the larger engagement portion. The lower end of the ferrule of the smaller brush tip frictionally engages the smaller engagement portion of the handle.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This invention claims priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/490,729, filed Jul. 29, 2003.

FILED OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates in general to handheld brushes particularly for use in applying cosmetics, and in particular to a handle that will accommodate a variety of sizes of brushes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Brushes are commonly used by women for applying cosmetics. The user might use a large brush with a large set of bristles for applying rouge or face powder. The user would typically use a smaller brush with a fine tip bristle for applying eyeliner. An intermediate brush might be employed for other applications, such as eye shadow. As a result, many women have a number of different brushes they regularly use.

Storing several brushes requires space, and saving space may be desirable, particularly in travel cosmetic kits. Also, maintaining a number of brushes adds expense over a single brush.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The brush of this invention has only one handle. The handle is elongated and has at least two different engagement portions, one being larger in cross-sectional dimension than the other.

The brush also has two removable brush tips. Each brush tip has a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured and extending from an opposite end of the ferrule. The hollow end of the larger brush tip is frictionally and releasably retained on the larger engagement portion of the handle. The hollow end of the smaller brush tip is frictionally and releasably retained on the smaller engagement portion of the handle. Preferably, the frictional engagement is based on a wedging action between the handle and the ferrule. The wedging action allows the user to remove the brush tip simply by withdrawing the tip.

The larger engagement portion is preferably formed on an end of the handle that is opposite the end containing the smaller engagement portion. An intermediate engagement portion may be formed on the handle also. The intermediate engagement portion is preferably formed between the larger and smaller engagement portions. An intermediate brush tip having a set of bristles larger than the bristles of the smaller brush tip and smaller than the bristles of the large brush tip fits releasably on the intermediate engagement portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded side view, partly in section, of a brush having a handle and a brush tip installed on the handle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the brush tip of FIG. 1, shown removed from the handle and viewed 90° from the position in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front end view of the brush tip of FIG. 1, shown removed from the handle and with the bristles removed.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a medium size brush tip for use with the handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the brush tip of FIG. 4, shown installed on the handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a small size brush tip installed on the handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the small end of the brush handle of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the brush has a handle 11 that is an elongated shaft. In the preferred embodiment, handle 11 has a solid construction and is formed of wood, although it could be hollow and formed of other materials. Handle 11 has a small end 13 and a large end 15. Large end 15 is located opposite small end 13. The cross-sectional configuration of handle 11 is circular from small end 13 to large end 15. Small end 13 has a cross-sectional diameter smaller than large end 15.

As shown in FIG. 7, a small end section 17 extends along handle 11 a short distance from small end 13. Small end section 17 is substantially cylindrical or slightly conical, having a slight increasing taper when proceeding from small end 13 toward large end 15. A conical transition section 19 extends from small end section 17 a short distance toward large end 15. A long central section 21 begins at transition section 19 and extends for most of the length of handle 11. Central section 21 is conical, with an increasing taper angle in a direction toward large end 15.

As shown in FIG. 1, central section 21 tapers from a smaller diameter to a larger diameter at a large end section 23. Large end section 23 is larger in diameter than small end section 17. Large end section 23 is conical and has a decreasing taper when proceeding from central section 21 to large end 15. Small end section 17 and large end section 23 are much shorter than central section 21. Both ends 13, 15 are closed and circular when viewed in an end view.

A large brush tip 25 is adapted to slide over and frictionally engage large end section 23. Large brush tip 25 has a ferrule 27 that is preferably metal. Ferrule 27 is hollow and has a handle end portion 29. Handle end portion 29 is conical in the embodiment shown and has an increasing taper as it proceeds from handle end portion 29 toward a crimped end 31. Crimped end 31 is permanently deformed or flattened to retain within it a set of bristles 33. As shown in FIG. 3, crimped end 31 is generally elliptical. Handle end portion 29, however, remains circular. The smallest inner diameter of handle end portion 29 closely slides over large end section 23. The taper of large end section 23 causes handle end portion 29 to wedge in place. FIG. 2 shows large brush tip 25 from a side 90° from the side shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a medium brush tip 35 is sized for insertion over small end 13 into engagement with an engaging portion 21 a of central section 21. Medium brush tip 35 has a metal ferrule 27 with a handle end portion 39. Handle end portion 39 is cylindrical in the embodiment shown, but it could be conical with substantially the same taper as engaging portion 21 a. Handle end portion 39 is slightly larger in diameter than small end 13, but smaller in diameter than at least part of handle engaging portion 21 a. Ferrule 37 has a crimped end 41 that grasps a set of bristles 43. The set of bristles 43 contains fewer bristles than the larger set of bristles 35. Medium brush tip 35 is sized to pass over handle small end 13 and transition section 19 and frictionally engage engagement portion 21 a of central section 21. This wedges medium brush 35 to handle 11.

FIG. 6 shows a small brush tip 45. Small brush tip 45 has a similar construction to medium brush tip 35. It has a ferrule 46 with a handle end 47 that is circular and a crimped end 49 that is flattened to grip a set of bristles 51. There are fewer bristles in set 51 than bristles in sets 43 and 33, although all of the bristles within each set could optionally be the same diameter. Also, typically, the bristles in set 33 are longer than in set 43, and the bristles in set 43 are longer than in set 33. Handle end 47 is preferably cylindrical and is sized slightly larger than small end 13 to frictionally grip small end portion 17. Alternately, handle end 47 could be conical with the same slight taper as small end engagement portion 17. Handle end 47 has a diameter smaller than central engagement portion 21 a.

In operation, the user selects the desired brushes. If the user wishes to use large brush tip 25, the user slides ferrule 27 over large end section 23, wedging it in place. If the user wishes to use medium brush tip 35, the user slides ferrule 37 of medium brush tip 35 over small end 13 and wedges it into place on intermediate engagement portion 21 a. If the user wishes to utilize a small brush 45, the user slides ferrule 46 over small end 13, wedging it on small engagement portion 17. Other types and sizes of brushes may also be employed and fitted on handle 11.

The invention has significant advantages. A single handle will serve for at least three different sizes of brush tips. This reduces expense over three separate brushes. It also reduces storage space, which is particularly beneficial for a travel kit.

While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, threads could be employed between the various brush tip ferrules and the engagement portions rather than a wedging frictional fit. The intermediate portion could be located on the larger end of the handle with the larger engagement portion being located between the intermediate portion and the smaller engagement portion. 

1. A brush, comprising: an elongated handle having a larger engagement portion and a smaller engagement portion of smaller cross-sectional dimension than the larger engagement portion; a larger brush tip and a smaller brush tip, each tip having a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured to and extending from an opposite end of the ferrule; the hollow end of the ferrule larger brush tip being releasably retained on the larger engagement portion of the handle; and the hollow end of the ferrule of the smaller brush tip being releasably retained on the smaller engagement portion of the handle.
 2. The brush according to claim 1, further comprising: an intermediate engagement portion on the handle having a cross-sectional dimension that is smaller than the larger engagement portion and larger than the smaller engagement portion; and an intermediate brush tip having a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured to and extending from an opposite end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip, the hollow end of the ferrule intermediate brush tip being releasably retained on the intermediate engagement portion of the handle.
 3. The brush according to claim 1, further comprising: an intermediate engagement portion on the handle located between the larger engagement portion and the smaller engagement portion; and an intermediate brush tip having a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured to and extending from an opposite end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip, the hollow end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip passing over the smaller engagement portion and releasably retained on the intermediate engagement portion of the handle.
 4. The brush according to claim 1, further comprising: an intermediate engagement portion on the handle located between the larger engagement portion and the smaller engagement portion, the intermediate engagement portion having a cross-sectional dimension larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the smaller engagement portion; a conical transition section extending between the smaller engagement portion and the intermediate engagement portion; and an intermediate brush tip, having a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured to and extending from an opposite end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip, the hollow end of the intermediate brush tip passing over the smaller engagement portion and transition section and being releasably retained on the intermediate engagement portion of the handle.
 5. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the larger and smaller engagement portions are circular in cross-section, and the hollow ends of the ferrules of the larger and smaller brush tips are releasably retained on the larger and smaller engagement portions, respectively, by wedging, frictional fits.
 6. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the larger engagement portion is conical, and the hollow end of the ferrule of the larger brush tip wedges on the larger engagement portion.
 7. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the smaller engagement portion is tapered, and the hollow end of the ferrule of the smaller brush tip wedges on the smaller engagement portion.
 8. The brush according to claim 1, wherein: the larger and the smaller engagement portions comprise smooth tapered surfaces, the larger engagement portion having a larger taper angle than the smaller engagement portion.
 9. The brush according to claim 1, wherein: the larger engagement portion is conical, with an increasing diameter in a direction toward the smaller engagement portion; and the hollow end of the ferrule of the larger brush tip is conical, with an increasing diameter in a direction toward the bristles.
 10. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the hollow end of the ferrule of the larger brush tip is circular, and the opposite end of the ferrule of the larger brush tip is elliptical.
 11. A brush, comprising: an elongated handle having a larger engagement portion on one end of the handle, a smaller engagement portion on an opposite end of the handle, and an intermediate engagement portion between the larger and smaller engagement portions, each of the portions having smooth exterior surfaces and being circular in cross-section, the larger engagement portion having a diameter greater than the intermediate engagement portion, the intermediate engagement portion having a diameter greater than the smaller engagement portion; a larger brush tip, an intermediate brush tip, and a smaller brush tip, each of the brush tips having a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles secured to and extending from an opposite end of the ferrule, the set of bristles of the larger brush tip being larger than the set of bristles of the intermediate brush tip, the set of bristles of the intermediate brush tip being smaller than the set of bristles of the intermediate brush tip; the hollow end of the ferrule of the larger brush tip being frictionally and releasably retained on the larger engagement portion of the handle; the hollow end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip passing over the smaller engagement portion and frictionally and releasably retained on the intermediate engagement portion of the handle; and the hollow end of the ferrule of the smaller brush tip frictionally and releasably retained on the smaller engagement portion of the handle.
 12. The brush according to claim 11, further comprising a conical transition section extending between the smaller engagement portion and the intermediate engagement portion.
 13. The brush according to claim 11, wherein the intermediate engagement portion is tapered, and the handle has a central section extending from the intermediate engagement portion to the larger engagement portion at a same taper angle as the intermediate engagement portion.
 14. The brush according to claim 11, further comprising: a tapered central section on the handle between the intermediate engagement portion and the larger engagement portion; wherein the larger engagement portion is tapered with a maximum diameter at a junction with the central section; and wherein the central section is tapered with a with a decreasing diameter toward the intermediate engagement portion.
 15. The brush according to claim 11, wherein: the larger engagement portion is conical, with an increasing diameter in a direction toward the smaller engagement portion; and the hollow end of the ferrule of the larger brush tip is conical, with an increasing diameter in a direction toward the bristles.
 16. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the smaller engagement portion is substantially cylindrical; and wherein the handle has a conical transition section extending between the smaller engagement portion and the intermediate engagement portion.
 17. A method of using a brush, comprising: (a) providing an elongated handle having a larger engagement portion and a smaller engagement portion of smaller cross-sectional dimension than the larger engagement portion; (b) providing the brush with a larger brush tip and a smaller brush tip, each brush tip having a ferrule with a hollow end and a set of bristles; (c) for coarser application inserting the hollow end of the larger brush tip over the larger engagement portion and retaining the larger brush tip on the larger engagement portion while applying a substance to a surface with the larger brush tip; and (d) for finer applications, removing the larger brush tip from the larger engagement portion and inserting the hollow end of the smaller brush tip over the smaller engagement portion and retaining the smaller brush tip on the smaller engagement portion while applying a substance to a surface with the smaller brush tip.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein: step (a) further comprises providing the handle with an intermediate engagement portion of larger cross-sectional dimension than the smaller engagement portion and smaller cross-sectional dimension than the larger engagement portion; step (b) further comprises providing an intermediate brush tip that has a ferrule with a set of bristles smaller than the larger brush tip and larger than the smaller brush tip; and for intermediate applications, with both the smaller and the larger brush tips removed from the handle, inserting a hollow end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip over the intermediate engagement portion and retaining the intermediate brush tip on the intermediate engagement portion while applying a substance to a surface with the intermediate brush tip.
 19. The method according to claim 17 wherein step (a) comprises forming the larger engagement portion on one end of the handle and the smaller engagement portion on an opposite end of the handle.
 20. The method according to claim 18, wherein the step of inserting the hollow end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip over the intermediate engagement portion comprises passing the hollow end of the ferrule of the intermediate brush tip over the smaller engagement portion without engaging the smaller engagement portion. 